Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 1 Three Questions Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
CHSE Odisha 11th Class English Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 1 Three Questions
CHSE Odisha Class 11 English Three Questions Text Book Questions and Answers
Unit – 1
Gist :
A king was worried, because he had three questions constantly troubling him. He wanted to know what was the right time for the right work with the right person, who were the most important men whom he should consult and what was the most important work. Many learned persons came but failed to satisfy the king with their answers. Some said that the right time could be ascertained if the king consulted a table of days, months and years strictly. Others said the king should seek the help of a magician. In reply to the second question, some said the people the king most needed were the council of ministers, others said they were priests or doctors. To the third question, the answer was equally confusing. The king could not agree with anyone of them. So he decided to approach a learned hermit living in a wood. In other words, the hermit was living far from the madding crowd. He was famous for wisdom.
Glossary:
above all: more than anything else (ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ )
occurred: came to mind (ମୁଣ୍ଡକୁ )
proclaimed: made known publicly or officially (ଆନୁଷ୍ଠାନିକ ଭାବରେ)
pastimes: things done to pass time pleasantly (ସମୟ)
Reward: prize (ପୁରସ୍କାର)
beforehand: in advance (ଆଗୁଆ)
letting: allowing (ଅନୁମତି)
absorbed: giving the whole mind to (ମଜ୍ଜିଯିବା)
skill: expertness (ବିଶେଷଜ୍ଞତା)
warfare: the state of being at war (ଯୁଦ୍ଧ)
Think it out
Question 1.
What were the three questions that occurred to the king? What did he do get the answers to his questions?
Answer:
The three questions that occurred to the king were if he was always aware of the right time to start everything, whether he had the knowledge of who the perfect people to listen to, and whom to get rid of, and at last if he was alive to do what the most genuine work to perform. To get the answers to his questions, he announced a great reward for anybody who would answer these three questions satisfactorily.
Question 2.
What answers did the wise men give to his first question?
Answer:
The happy prospect of being rewarded by the king fabulously attracted many wise men. They made a beeline to the presence of the king hoping to answer his questions. In reply to the first question, some suggested that the king ought to consult a table of days, months and years in order to know the right time to do the right work. Others advised him to consult a council. Yet there were some who even suggested to the king to seek the help of a magician in the matter.
Question 3.
How did the wise men answer his second question?
Answer:
In reply to the second question, the wise men were not unanimous in their answers. Some said that the king should consult his councillors. Others said he should consult priests and doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.
Question 4.
What answers did the king get for his third question?
Answer:
The king got various answers for his third question from the wise men. In their opinion they differ from each other. Some wise men replied that the important thing in the world was science. To others, it was skill in warfare. The answer did not end there. Some other wise men replied that it was religious worship.
Question 5.
Why did he decide to consult a hermit?
Answer:
Different answers to his three important questions failed to satisfy the king. In other words, he did not subscribe to any of the answers provided by the wise men. There was a hermit who was exceedingly famous for his wisdom. Therefore, the king decided to consult a hermit.
Unit – II
Gist :
The king approached the hermit in the guise of a common man. The holy man was then digging a hole outside. He blessed the visitor and went about his work. The king asked him the three questions seeking his answers. But the hermit didn’t bother to answer the questions. He went on digging the hole as before. He looked very tired. The king took pity on the old man and offered his help. The hermit took rest and the king went on digging the hole till it was evening. He was now impatient and begged the holy man to answer his questions. But the holy man was as silent as before. In the mean time, a man came running towards them.
He was bleeding profusely from a wound in his stomach. The king was moved and washed the man’s wound and bandaged it. The hermit served the man too. Both of them carried the wounded man inside and laid him on a bed. Being tired the king fell asleep on the threshold. When he woke up, he heard the wounded man aplogising to him. It was now revealed that the man was a former enemy of the king who had followed him to kill him, but he was found out by the king’s bodyguards and was mortally wounded by them. The man said that if the king had been late, he would have killed him. The king was happy to know that a die hard enemy of his had been won over so easily. The wounded man swore to devote the rest of his life serving the king.
Glossary:
quitted : left ବାମ
cell : a single room ଗୋଟିଏ କୋଠରୀ
hermit : a holy person living alone ଏକ ପବିତ୍ର ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି
dismounted : climbed down ବିସର୍ଜନ
approached : went towards ଆଡକୁ ଗଲା |
unfastened : opened ଖୋଲିଲା
soaked : wet ଓଦା
ceased : stopped ଅଟକି ଗଲା
revived : got well again ପୁଣି ଭଲ ହୋଇଗଲା
crouched down : ଆଣ୍ଠେଇ
threshold : doorstep ସୀମା
frail : weak and thin ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଏବଂ ପତଳା
spade: an instrument for digging (କୋଡ଼ି)
fainting : collapsing (ଅଚେତ, ବେହୋସ )
moaning : making a low mournful sound ଏକ କମ୍ ଶୋକର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣିବା
feebly: slowly (ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ)
intently : eagerly ଉତ୍ସାହର ସହିତ
executed : punished by death ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଦଣ୍ଡିତ
ambush : hiding ଲୁଚି
restore : to give back ଫେରାଇବାକୁ
Think it out :
Question 1.
Where did the king meet the hermit? How did the hermit receive the king?
Answer:
The king clad in simple clothes met the hermit in the wood which was his permanent abode. The hermit’s meeting was only confined to the common folk. However, he received the king as usual. There was not a touch of extra-ordinariness about it. After greeting the king, the hermit kept on digging the ground in front of his hut.
Question 2.
How did the king help the hermit?
Answer:
The king saw the hermit digging the ground single-handedly. The old man was weak and frail and skinny. He seemed exhausted. The king took pity on him and kind as he was, he wished to lend a helping hand to the holy man. He took the spade from him and dug the ground himself. Thus, the king helped the hermit.
Question 3.
How did the king nurse the wounded stranger?
Answer:
As soon as the king saw the wounded stranger, he along with the hermit opened his clothing. He carefully washed and bandaged the large wound in his stomach with his handkerchief, yet the blood kept on flowing. Therefore, the king again and again removed the bandage soaked with blood, and washed and bandaged it once again. At last blood stopped flowing. The injured man came to his senses and asked for water. The king rose to the occasion. At last, he along with the hermit carried the wounded stranger to the hut.
Question 4.
Why did the wounded person desire to serve the king as his most faithful slave?
Answer:
The wounded man was a die-hard enemy of the king. The king had executed his brother and confiscated his property. So the man wanted to take revenge by killing the king while he was paying visit to the hermit alone. But the way with which the king nursed him and saved his life moved the man. It was unbelievable. The hostility he had nurtured for the king vanished. His heart was filled with repentance. Therefore, the wounded person desired to serve the king as his most faithful servant
Unit: III
Gist :
The king wanted to return to the palace. He again approached the hermit seeking answers to his questions. But the holy man replied smilingly that he had already had his answers. The right time is the time which is ‘now’, the right work is the work before you and the right person is the one with whom you are. The most important affair is to do good to the man who needs your help at the moment. The king understood everything. He took up the work that the holy man had been doing and that work and that time were the most important ones. The hermit who was before him was the most important man needing his care and attention.
Glossary :
taken leave of : ଛୁଟି
wounded : ଆହତ
injured : ଆହତ
porch : a covered entrance to a house ଗୋଟିଏ ଘରର ଆଚ୍ଛାଦିତ ପ୍ରବେଶ
sowing : scattering seeds over ବୁଣିବା
pitied : showed pity ଦୟା
attended to : treated ଚିକିତ୍ସିତ
made peace : ଶାନ୍ତି ସ୍ଥାପନ କଲା
dealings : treatment କାରବାର
that…. life ତାହା …. ଜୀବନ: God had sent man into this life for the welfare of all ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ କଲ୍ୟାଣ ପାଇଁ man ଶ୍ବର ମନୁଷ୍ୟକୁ ଏହି ଜୀବନରେ ପଠାଇଥିଲେ
Think it out:
Question 1.
How did the hermit answer the king’s questions?
Answer:
Before taking leave of him, the king again asked the hermit to answer his three questions, but he was told that he had already been answered. The most important time for him the day before was when he was digging the bed, the most important man was the hermit. Afterwards when he attended to the wounded stranger that was the right time, the stranger the right man and the help given was the most important work otherwise the injured man would have died. Therefore the right time is always the present time, the most important man is one whom one deals with at that time and the right occupation is to help others.
Question 2.
Was the king satisfied with the hermit’s answers? Give a reasoned answer.
Answer:
The king was greatly satisfied with the hermit’s answers. Each answer the hermit gave to his questions was relevant. For instance, the enemy would have killed the king, had he not digged the ground and consequently, staying with him. The hermit’s focus on ‘now’ impressed him most. The king was satisfied, when the hermit wanted him to do good to the man of that moment is the most important affair, because
God has created man only for this purpose.
CHSE Odisha Class 11 English Three Questions Important Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone. When the King approached, the hermit was digging the gound in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily. The King went up to him and said : “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time ? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest ? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention ?” The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.
“You are tired,” said the King, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”
“Thanks !” said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.
When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions.
The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said: “Now rest awhile and let me work a bit.”
But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the king at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said :
“I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.”
“Here comes some one running,” said the hermit, “let us see who it is.”
The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach.
Questions :
(i) Throw light on the hermit.
(ii) What picture of the king do you find in the extract?
Answers :
(i) The hermit lived in a forest. He was very fond of this place. He identified himself with the common man and shared their feelings. Against this backdrop, he received none except the common folk. He was the epitome of great values. He cordially greeted the king clad in common clothes, the hermit was thin and weak. He believed in the philosophy of duty. In spite of being physically weak, he was digging the soil with a spade. In him, the king found a wise man. He was interested to ask his questions to the hermit.
(ii) The extract presents the king in a bright light. He is averse to exhibiting his royal glamour. He was simple to the core. He meets the hermit, putting on simple clothes. He understands the feelings of the hermit. He is a kindhearted person. He cannot stand the sight of the hermit digging the soil with a spade. The king takes the tool from him and performs his work. Despite everything, his curiosity to ask his questions to the hermit and find answers does not diminish. The king also shows kidness to the injured bearded man.
Question 2.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet, but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep- so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.
“Forgive me !” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.
“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the King.
“You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me !” The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.
Questions :
(i) What made the king enjoy a sound sleep?
(ii) Describe the meeting between the injured person and the king.
Answers :
(i) The king came forward to relieve the wise hermit of his work, because the latter was thin and weak. He did not allow the hermit to go on digging with the spade. The king requested him to give him the spade. He kept on doing his work. The hermit want him to take rest, but in vain. In the meanwhile. a bearded person came running out of the wood, with blood gushing from the stomach. The king and the hermit rose to the occasion. At last, they helped him carry to the hut. Walk and work made the king dog-tired. At last, he fell a sound sleep.
(ii) The king learnt that the bearded man was his enemy, because of his act of executing his brother and seizing his property. Knowing that he had come alone to meet the hermit, the man had promised to slay him. On the way his soldiers recognised him and attacked him. But for the king’s compassion, he would have been bled to death. Again, the man expressed his wish to serve the king and be his most trusted servant, and begged the king’s forgiveness. The king was glad to establish peace with his enemy and promised to give his property back.
Question 3.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.
The King approached him, and said:
“For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.”
“You have already been answered !” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.
“How answered? What do you mean ?” asked the King.
“Do you not see,” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness
yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds, and I was the most important man, and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then : there is only one time that is important Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life !”
Questions :
(i) How was the king’s life saved?
(ii) What idea of the writer’s message do you get in the extract?
Answers :
(i) Kind hearted as the was, the king took pity on the hermit and wished to lend him a helping hand. He took the spade from the hermit and dug the ground till sunset. If he had not stayed with the holy person and gone away, he would have attacked by his enemy, who resolved to kill him. Because of his kindness and helpful nature his life was saved.
(ii) This extract forms the essence of the story ‘Three Questions”. Tolstoy here conveys a very salutary message to mankind. His emphasis on ‘now’ is a case in point. Man’s present moment always needs a careful attention. The writer brings home another fact that man’s life on this earth should not be meaningless. God has created him to serve mankind. Man should not lose sight of this fact.
Introducing the Author
Count Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), a great moral teacher of recent times, was an eminent writer and thinker of Russia. In 1879, he underwent a spiritual transformation which he has described in his ‘Confession’. He was a staunch believer in God: his love for men was matchless. His amazing creativity finds expression in his books novels, plays and exhortations. His writings were censored, but nothing could stop him from preaching the virtues of self-purification, love and compassion for all forms of life. He had a great impact on Gandhiji, the sage-politician of India. His short stories are remarkable for great moral conviction and deep religious spirit. The style is simple and is packed with realistic details and colloquial diction purged of all rhetoric.
About the Story
Tolstoy’s ‘Three Questions’ gives us a piece of practical wisdom. It prescribes for man three moral ways of living. The scriptural persuasiveness of tone accounts for its impact and appeal. We are ever in need of guidance and wisdom to know the right way and time to do the right thing with the right person. But man is often at a loss to know this. So he gropes in moral and spiritual darkness and in his confusion and bewilderment does the wrong things detrimental to him and the society as well. Faced with such a situation, a king had to go to a hermit in the guise of a common man where he had to do hard work, spend the night and know things the hard way. As a reward, however, the answers he found were fully satisfactory and convincing.
Summary
Once, a king was in a pensive and reflective mood. He was racking his brain to find apt answers to three important questions – how to know the right time to do the right thing* how to know who the right people were to listen to, and what was the most important things to do. He thought that if he got answers to these tricky questions he could conduct his affairs smoothly and wisely.
Many learned people came to the palace to answer these questions. But the king found their answers quite unsatisfactory. The answers were various and even contradictory. In reply to the first question, some said that the king ought have to draw up a table of days, months and years and live strictly according to it. Others suggested that he should abandon idle pastimes and the habit of procrastination. In reply to the second question, the answers were equally confusing.
Some said that a council of wise men must be handy for ready consultation. Yet others suggested that the help of a magician ought to be sought in this regard. To the third question, as to what was the most important work or occupation, some replied that it was science; others said it was skill in warfare or religious worship. The king could agree with none of them. So he sought the advice of a learned sage living in a wood. The king went to the holy hermit in the guise of a common man. When he reached the hermitage, he saw the skinny hermit digging a hole. He was in sweats. The king asked him the three questions and begged him to answer them. But the hermit paid little heed to the king’s repeated queries. He went on digging till he was damn tired.
The king offered to dig the hole himself. The hermit handed over the spade to the king and took rest. The king dug and dug till it was night. The hermit was as silent as before. At this moment, a wounded man came running. The hermit and the king nursed him. The king bandaged his wound and forgot all about his questions. They carried the wounded man inside and laid him on the bed. The man fell silent. He seemed to have felt better. The king was so tired that he too fell asleep on the threshold. When he woke up, he saw that the wounded man was fixing his gaze on him. The identity of the wounded man was revealed.
He was a die-hard enemy of the king, who had followed him to kill him on his way to the hermitage. But as the king was detained long at the hermitage, he came out of his hide and was wounded mortally by the king’s bodyguards. The man apologised to the king and swore to be his faithful slave the rest of his life. The king was happy to know that he had won over his enemy with such ease. The king took leave of the wounded man and before leaving the hermitage, approached the hermit again.
He was now disgusted with the holy man’s puzzling silence. When he asked the questions for the last time, the hermit replied that he had already got the answers. The king was startled. But the holy man explained to him that the right time was the time at hand. It was ‘now’ which was most important. The king took pity on the hermit and helped him in the work. For him, that time was the most opportune one and that work was the most important one. The hermit was the most necessary man at that time. The most necessary man is he with whom one is at the moment and the most important affair is, to do him good. Man is sent into this life to serve his fellow beings. The king got his answers and returned to the palace wiser and more enlightened.
ସାରାଂଶ :
ଲିଓ ଟଲ୍ଷ୍ଟୟଙ୍କଦ୍ବାରା ରଚିତ ଉକ୍ତ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ରଗଳ୍ପଟିରେ ମଣିଷମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପଦେଶ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରାଯାଇଅଛି । ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ମଣିଷ ଆପଣାର ଜୀବନ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ବହୁ ଘାତ ପ୍ରତିଘାତର ସମ୍ମୁଖୀନ ହୋଇ ଭୂଲୁଣ୍ଠିତ ହେବାବେଳେ ଭାବିବସେ ଯେ ଯଦି ସେ ସଫଳତା ହାସଲ କରିବାର ଉପାୟ ଓ କଳାଟିକୁ ଜାଣିପାରନ୍ତା, ସେ ହୁଏତ ଆପଣାର ଜୀବନଟିକୁ ସରସ, ସୁନ୍ଦର ଓ ଋଦ୍ଧିମନ୍ତ କରିପାରନ୍ତା । ସେ ଜାଣେନାହିଁ ଯେ ସାଫଲ୍ୟର ଚାବିକାଠି ତା’ର ହାତ ପାହାନ୍ତାରେ, ତା’ର ଚେତନାର ଉପର ସ୍ତରରେ – ଖାଲି ଯାହା ତାହାର ଦୃହକ୍ଳିଷ୍ଟ, ବିକ୍ଷୁବ୍ଧ ମାନସିକତା ଯୋଗୁଁ ସେ ଏବେ ବି ଅଜ୍ଞାନ ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ଆଚ୍ଛନ୍ନ, ମରୀଚିକାର ପଛରେ ନିୟତ ଧାବମାନ ।
ଏକଦା ଜଣେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ମନେହେଲା ଯେ ଯଦି ସେ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇପାରନ୍ତେ, ତେବେ ସେ କେବେହେଲେ ବିଫଳତାର ଗହ୍ଵରରେ ପତିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତେ ନାହିଁ । ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ପ୍ରକୃଷ୍ଟ ସମୟ କ’ଣ ? ଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – ଉତ୍ତମ ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କିଏ ଯାହାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ସେ ନିର୍ଭର କରିପାରିବେ ଏବଂ ଯାହାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସେ ଆପଣାକୁ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କରିପାରିବେ ? ତୃତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – ସର୍ବୋତ୍କୃଷ୍ଟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଟି କ’ଣ ? ଯଥା ସମୟରେ ରାଜ୍ୟସାରା ଡେଙ୍ଗୁରା ଦିଆଗଲା । ଯେଉଁ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଏହି ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଇପାରିବେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିପୁଳ ଭାବରେ ପୁରସ୍କୃତ କରାଯିବାର ଘୋଷଣା କରାଗଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ହାୟ, ଅନେକ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପୁରସ୍କାର ଲୋଭରେ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟାକଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାଜା କୌଣସି ଉତ୍ତରରେ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ । ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ।
ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉତ୍ତମ ପଞ୍ଜିକାରୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାରମ୍ଭର ସଠିକ୍ ତିଥି, ବାର, ନକ୍ଷତ୍ର ଜାଣିବାକୁ ତ ଅନ୍ୟ କେତେକ ବେଶ୍ ଦାର୍ଶନିକ ଭାବରେ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଯେ ରାଜା ଆଳସ୍ୟର ବଶବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ନ ହୋଇ ଯେଉଁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଯେତେବେଳେ କରିବାର କଥା ତାହା ଯଥାଶୀଘ୍ର ସମ୍ପାଦନ କରିବା ଶ୍ରେୟସ୍କର । ସେହିଭଳି ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ତ୍ରିପରିଷଦ ଉତ୍ତମ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଇପାରିବେ ବୋଲି କହିଲେ ତ ଆଉ କେତେକ ରାଜପୁରୋହିତ କିମ୍ବା ରାଜବୈଦ୍ୟ କିମ୍ବା ସୈନ୍ୟସାମନ୍ତ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ବା ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା ବୋଲି ଘୋଷଣା କଲେ । ତୃତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ଜ୍ଞାନାର୍ଜନ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବୃତ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହିଲେ ତ ଆଉ କିଏ ଯୁଦ୍ଧବିଗ୍ରହ କିମ୍ବା ଧାର୍ମିକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନମାନ ଉତ୍ତମ ବୃତ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହିଲେ । ସୁତରାଂ ରାଜା ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର କୌଣସି ସଠିକ୍ ସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ଜିଜ୍ଞାସା ପ୍ରବଳରୁ ପ୍ରବଳତର ହେଲା । ପରିଶେଷରେ ରାଜା ରାଜ୍ୟର ଏକ ଅରଣ୍ୟର ନିକାଞ୍ଚନ ପରିବେଶରେ ଏକ କୁଟୀରରେ ରହୁଥିବା ଜଣେ ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ସାଧୁଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇବାପାଇଁ ଛଦ୍ମବେଶରେ ଗଲେ ।
ସାଧୁଙ୍କ ବାସସ୍ଥାନର ଅନତି ଦୂରରେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଅଙ୍ଗରକ୍ଷକମାନେ ରହିଲେ । ରାଜା ଘୋଡ଼ାରୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଏକ ସାଧାରଣ ଜନତାର ଛଦ୍ମବେଶରେ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିବାକୁ ଗଲେ । ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିଲେ, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେହି ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ଆପଣାର କୁଟୀରର ବାହାର ପ୍ରଦେଶରେ ମାଟି ହାଣି ଏକ ଶସ୍ୟପଟାଳି ତିଆରି କରିବାରେ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଥା’ନ୍ତି । ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଶରୀର ତାଙ୍କର କଠିନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଅନୁପଯୁକ୍ତ ଥିଲେ ବି ସାଧୁ ନିର୍ବିକାର ଭାବରେ ମାଟି ଖୋଳି ଚାଲିଥା’ନ୍ତି । ରାଜା ଖୁବ୍ ବିନମ୍ରତାର ସହ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ନିଜର ଆସିବାର ଅଭିପ୍ରାୟ ଜଣାଇଲେ ଏବଂ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବାପାଇଁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ସାଧୁଜଣଙ୍କ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ଶୁଣି ନ ଶୁଣିବାର ଅଭିନୟ କଲେ ଏବଂ ପୂର୍ବବତ୍ ମାଟିଖୋଳା କାମରେ ଲାଗିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଦୟାଳୁ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାପାଇଁ ନିଜେ ମାଟି ଖୋଳିବାରେ ଲାଗିଲେ ଓ ସାଧୁଜଣଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେବାପାଇଁ ବସିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଘଣ୍ଟା ଘଣ୍ଟା ଧରି ରାଜା ଶସ୍ୟପଟାଳି ହାଣି ଚାଲିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସାଧୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ନାହିଁ ।
ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଉପନୀତ । ଦୂରରୁ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ବିକଳ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି ଦୌଡ଼ିଆସି ସାଧୁ ଓ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଭୂପତିତ ହେଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ପେଟରେ ଏକ ବିରାଟ କ୍ଷତ ଏବଂ ସେଥିରୁ ପ୍ରବଳ ରକ୍ତସ୍ରାବ ହେଉଥାଏ। ରାଜା ଓ ସାଧୁ ତା’ର ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସେବାଯତ୍ନ କଲାପରେ ଲୋକଟି ସାଷ୍ଟମ ହେଲା । ରାଜା କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ କୁଡ଼ିଆର ଗୋଟିଏ କୋଣରେ ଶୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଲେ । ନିଦରୁ ଉଠିବା ପରେ ସେ ଜାଣିଲେ ଯେ ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେ ସେବାଶ୍ରୁଶ୍ରୂଷା କରିଥିଲେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଘୋର ଶତ୍ରୁ ଯିଏକି ତାଙ୍କୁ ମାରିବାପାଇଁ ଅରଣ୍ୟକୁ ଆସିଥିଲା । ଯାହାହେଉ, ସେ ଲୋଟି ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଅନୁତପ୍ତ ଏବଂ ସବୁଦିନ ପାଇଁ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ବିଶ୍ବସ୍ତ ଭୃତ୍ୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବାପାଇଁ ସେ ଶପଥବଦ୍ଧ ହେଲା । ଖୁବ୍ ସହଜରେ ଆପଣାର ଜଣେ ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ ଶତ୍ରୁର ହୃଦୟ ଜୟ କରିପାରିଥିବାରୁ ରାଜା ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହେଲେ । ତେବେ ଆଉ ବେଶି କାଳ ସାଧୁଙ୍କ କୁଟୀରରେ ରହିବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ନ ଥିବାରୁ ସେ ଯିବାକୁ ବାହାରିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦକୁ ଫେରିଯିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଶେଷଥର ପାଇଁ ସାଧୁଙ୍କଠାରୁ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଆଶାକରି ପୁନଶ୍ଚ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସେହି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ପଚାରି ବସିଲେ । ରହସ୍ୟମୟ ହସ ହସି ସାଧୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର କେବେଠାରୁ ପାଇ ସାରିଛନ୍ତି । ଚକିତ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କର ଏହି ଇଙ୍ଗିତ ବୁଝି ନ ପାରିବାରୁ ସାଧୁ ବୁଝାଇଦେଲେ ।
ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ମାଟି ହାଣିବାର ଦେଖିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଦୟାପ୍ରକାଶ କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାପାଇଁ ନିଜେ ମାଟି ହାଣିଲେ, ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଅଜ୍ଞାତସାରରେ ଆପଣାର ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇଗଲେ । କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ପ୍ରକୃଷ୍ଟ ସମୟ ସର୍ବଦା ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ । ତୁମ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଯେଉଁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ, ସେହି ମୁହୂଉଁଟି ହିଁ ସେହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ମୁହୂର୍ଭ । ତୁମ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ତୁମର ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ, ସେହି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ହିଁ ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସେହି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେବା ହିଁ ତୁମର ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବୃତ୍ତି । ଠିକ୍ ଯେମିତି ରାଜା ଆହତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେବା କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତାହାହିଁ ହେଉଛି ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ କର୍ମ, ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଜ୍ଞାନୋଦୟ ହେଲା। ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇ ପ୍ରାଜ୍ଞ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଣାମ କଲେ ଓ ସହର୍ଷ ମନରେ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦକୁ ଫେରିଆସିଲେ ।